Carol West

Carol West

Philadelphia, PA

Carol Catherine West, 67 years old, died suddenly Monday, December 5, 2011 at Baptist Medical Center in Jackson, MS. She was born May 23, 1944, in Philadelphia, PA. Her father was actively involved in WWII and, because of his military commitment, she and her family lived in Hawaii, California, Pennsylvania and Texas, returning to Waynesboro, MS, upon her father's military retirement.

In 1962 she was honored as salutatorian of the first graduating class of the recently consolidated high school Waynesboro Central. She continued her education by earning an AA Degree from Jones County Junior College, BA Degree from Mississippi University for Women, JD degree (with honors) from University of Mississippi School of Law, and an MLS Degree from University of Southern Mississippi.

She began her career as the Public Services Librarian at University of Virginia School of Law. As she advanced in her career, she served as Catalog Librarian at the University of Mississippi Law Library, Head of Mississippi Legislative Reference Library and as legislative draftsman, and then the Director of Law Library, Mississippi College School of Law. At the time of her death, she was Professor of Law at the Mississippi College School of Law, where she was greatly loved and respected by her students.

Carol was a member of the American Bar Association, the Mississippi Bar, and the Hinds County Bar Association (and a member of its Board of Directors from 1994 to 1997). She served two terms on the Board of Directors of the Mississippi Women Lawyers Association. Carol belonged to the American Society of Legal History. Former Appellate Court Judge, and close friend, Mary Libby Payne called her a "notable woman."

Appointed a commissioner by Gov. Kirk Fordice, Carol served on the Mississippi Library Commission from 1992 to 1998. She was internationally recognized for her library expertise, serving as consultant to the Republic of Armenia on developing a Parliamentary Library and with the National Assembly of Tanzania on parliamentary library services. She enjoyed extensive travels to Europe, Canada, throughout the States and in the Caribbean.

Another of Carol's passions was genealogical research. She had great interest in her family genealogy and she selflessly provided assistance to others in their research efforts. For many years, she served in different capacities with the Mississippi Genealogical Society, actively planned the annual seminar and currently served as corresponding secretary.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Helen Young West and Scott Gray West. She is survived by her brothers Charles S. (Sandra), Jackson, James D., Waynesboro, and Gary L. (Joan), Martin, TN., two nieces, Lydia H. (West) and Katherine G. (West), and numerous cousins. She will be deeply missed by friends from childhood, Dr. Jane Sanders, Gaynell Ainsworth, Judy Sullivan, and Linda Lucas, who said of Carol that she was a faithful and true friend and was always there for each of them.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 10, 2011, 11am, at Freeman Funeral Home, Waynesboro, MS, with burial in Yellow Creek Cemetery. A memorial service will be held later in Jackson, MS. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to Carol West, MC School of Law, 151 E. Griffith St., Jackson MS.39201